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Fiji claims Pacific Nations Cup 2015 crown

Fiji defeated Samoa 39-29 in a thrilling final at the Swangard Stadium in Burnaby to claim their second Pacific Nations Cup crown and head into RWC 2015 full of confidenceSecond-rower Leone Nakawara grabbed two of his side’s five tries with the others coming from influential scrum-half Niko Matawalu, Kini Murimurivalu and Akapusi Qera in a see-saw contest that saw Fiji race into a 17-3 lead before being reeled back in by Samoa. But just as the physical Samoans appeared to have taken control of the contest, Fiji came storming back with three quickfire tries that saw them reclaim the initiative and pull clear.Captain and flanker Qera was understandably delighted with Fiji’s first win in five attempts against their great rivals, which sets them up nicely for the Rugby World Cup curtain-raiser against England at Twickenham on 18 September.“The PNC is a major part of our build up towards the Rugby World Cup and to win the tournament is a major plus for us,” Qera said.“We will now go back home and enjoy a few days off with family, then it will be back in camp to focus on the England game. We know that it is not going to be easy against England. We are in a pool that has been labelled as a pool of death, and we will survive that pool.”Fiji’s attacking intent was evident from the off, Nakawara wreaking havoc with his first touch before starting and finishing off a free-flowing move for the first try on two minutes. Josh Matavesi, who made good the conversion, traded penalties with his opposite number Michael Stanley before Matawalu snapped up loose possession from a lineout to race away for Fiji’s second try. Matavesi tagged on the extras for a 17-3 lead.Two Stanley penalties brought Samoa back within touching distance at the break, and their situation improved again shortly after the re-start when flanker Jack Lam muscled his way over the line, Stanley's conversion making it a one-point game.With the momentum behind them, Samoa looked on course to claim a treble of Pacific Natons Cup titles following wins in 2010 and 2012 when winger Fa'atoina Autagavaia stepped inside three defenders to dot down in the corner and hand Samoa the lead for the first time in the match with half an hour still to go.The introduction of Ben Volavola from the bench helped to tip the balance back in Fiji's favour, the fly-half’s crossfield kick setting up Nakawara for his second and then another two tries, from full-back Murimurivalu and leader Qera, put them 36-24 in front and seemingly out of sight.A second try for Autagavaia while Fiji were down to 14 men set up a grandstand finish but Volavola ensured local bragging rights and the PNC title went the way of Fiji by cooly stroking over a penalty from wide out with three minutes to go.\We came back well at the start of the second half but a few mistakes here and there and a few missed tackles let the Fijians in again